Display-rack



W. T. HORMES.

DISPLAY RACK.

, APPLICATION flLED DEC. 1|, 191s.

Patented July 26, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM T. HORMES, OF GOVANS, MARYLAND, ASSIGNQR TO SOLOMON HIMMEL, 01"

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

DISPLAY-RACK.

Application filed December 11, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM T. HonMns, a citizen of the United States, residing at (jrovans, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Display-Rack, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a device for supporting umbrellas, parasols and the like, for display purposes.

It is the practice in some stores to provide racks for umbrellas, parasols and the like, which racks are constructed with an inclined base member having holes therein, into which are fitted depending bushings through which the umbrellas, etc. are forced. The bushings are made of a diameter small enough to engage the rolled umbrella with considerable friction in order that it may be retained in position, and as a consequence, the repeated removal and insertion of the umbrella by the salesman, causes the fabric to rub against the bushing, soon resulting in imparting a shopworn appearance, and in fact often damaging the articles. The ob ject of the present invention is to provide a display device by which the umbrellas and the like may be supported with their handles in stepped relation, and for so supporting them that a minimum of friction and rubbing action is encountered in placing the articles in and removing them from the display device.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a view illustrating a display rack constructed in accordance with the invcntion. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the supporting bushing.

Referring to the drawing, the articles to be displayed are preferably inclosed within a case constructed with a base 10, side walls 11, a back wall 12, and a top 13, which may be of any preferred construction, and if desired, may he provided with glass doors 14 to close the front thereof.

The article-supporting portion of the cabinet comprises an upper bottom member 15 and a lower bottom member 16, arranged parallel with each other and inclined downwardly from the rear to the front. The upper bottom member 15 is provided with a plurality of openings 17, through which are Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 26, 1921.

Serial No. 266,249.

inserted tubes or bushings 18, flanged at their upper ends, as indicated at 19, to bear upon the top face of the bottom member 15. Said tubes are cylindrical in form and the walls of the openings 17 are formed so as to cause said tubes to be inclined from the vertical, when in position. The tubes are arranged in parallel relation and their lower ends are beveled off, as indicated at 20, to rest squarely against the top surface of the lower bottom member 16, whereby each tube serves as a socket provided with an inclined bottom.

In practice, the tubes 18 are of a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of the rolled umbrellas they are designed to receive. When an umbrella is inserted into a tube in an approximately vertical position, the ferrule will rest against the inclined bottom, thereby causing the umbrella to assume such a position that it will not engage the tube throughout the length of the latter, but only comparatively small areas of the umbrella at the top and bottom, respectively, and on substantially opposite sides thereof, will engage contiguous portions of the tube. In this manner the umbrella is firmly held in an upright position so that it will not ,wabble, the handles of all of the umbrellas being in stepped relation, and no serious rubbing takes place when putting them into the tubes or withdrawing them. Thus they are protected from damage while being effectively displayed in a manner which permits of ready access and convenient handling when a sale is to be made.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described an operative manner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed is 1. A display rack of the character described comprising an inclined supporting member provided with a plurality of openings, tubular members mounted in the respective openings, and arranged in parallel relation at an angle to the vertical, said tubular members being of a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of a rolled umbrella, and an inclined bottom member closing the lower ends of said tubular members and cooperating with the latter to cause the umbrellas to assume substantially vertical positions when engaged therewith, whereby substantially small areas of an umbrella will engage contiguous portions of a, tubular member on approximately opposite sides thereof located at the top and bottom respectively, of said member.

2. A display rack of the character described comprising an inclined supporting member provided with a plurality of openings, tubular members mounted in the respective openings, and arranged in parallel relation at an angle to the vertical, said tubular members being of a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of av rolled .um-

a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of arolled umbrella, each tubular memberhaving an inclined bottom wall, cooperating with the main body portion thereof to cause anumbrella to assume a substantially vertical position when engaged therewith, whereby substantially small areas oi the umbrella will engage contiguous portions of the tubular member on approximately opposite sides thereof located at the top and bottom respectivel of said opening.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM T. HORMES. 

